Shoe press



S. J. FINN SHOE PRESS April] 4 mm 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 20, 1948 QNN wR SQ %N Apzrfil] 4, 1959 s. J. FHNN g fi SHOE PRESS Filed Feb. 20, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet2 SHOE PRESS Filed Feb. 20, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aprifi 4 395G s. .5. FINN gggmfigfl SHOE PRESS Filed Feb. 20, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 cTg/ffi'mz 5 film i OP/Zgy Patented Apr. 4, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SHOE PRESS Application February 20, 1948, Serial No. 9,681

31 Claims. 1

This invention relates to presses for applying pressure to the bottoms of shoes and, more particularly, to bench presses adapted for attaching half soles to shoe bottoms, for example, in repair work. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited in its application to repair work alone, but in many of its features is of equal utility in applying pressure to shoe bottoms in the manufacture of shoes in which a sole member is secured to the shoe bottom by adhesive alone.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved press for use in cement attaching soles to shoe bottoms which will be economical to build and to operate. A further object is to provide an improved press which may be operated efiiciently and rapidly in attaching soles to shoes but in which the soles will be as strongly and permanently bonded tov the shoe bottoms as they are in the more expensive types of presses.

To these ends, the invention provides, in accordance with one feature, an improved shoe press in which the pressure is applied to the shoe bottom by an inflatable pad but in which the inflation of the pad to apply the pressure is limited or controlled in accordance with the size of the shoe being operated upon. In other words, in the present invention, only that portion of the inflatable pad is utilized which is necessary to insure the proper attachment of the sole to the shoe bottom, the remainder of the pad being cut off from the inflating medium to prevent its inflation, thereby increasing the speed with which the press may be operated and also conserving in the use of the inflating medium. As herein illustrated, this is accomplished by the provision of a plate for pinching off a portion of the pad, and means for locating the pinch plate in a predetermined position relatively to the shoe irrespective of the size of the shoe. In this way, only the portion of the pad engaging the shoe bottom and a predetermined portion surrounding, or adjacent to, the shoe bottom will be inflated to apply pressure to the sole and shoe.

In accordance with another feature, the invention provides improved means in a shoe press in the form of an inflatable pad and a pad support for applying pressure to the shank portion of the shoe and also for positioning the shoe longitudinally of the pad in combination with the means referred to for limiting the portion of the pad to be inflated to apply the sole attaching pressure. As illustrated herein, the rear or outer portion of the pad is supported by a plate which is adjustable relatively to a rigid bed which supports the forward portion of the pad, thereby facilitating the conformation of the rear portion of the pad to the shank portion of the shoe being operated upon. Conformation of the pad to the shank portion of the shoe in this manner also locates the shoe longitudinally of the pad. A toe gage associated with the pinch plate above referred to locates the latter relatively to the shoe, thereby controlling or limiting the portion of the pad inflated in accordance with the size of the shoe operated upon and also in accordance with the position of the shoe longitudinally of the pad.

In accordance with still another feature. the invention provides improved means in a shoe press of the type referred to for operating upon shoes mounted on half size lasts or forms which enter only the forepart of the shoe, and also for operating upon shoes mounted on full size or regular lasts. A casting having means thereon for supporting the forepart of a shoe against pressure applied by the pad is provided for shoes mounted on half size lasts while a modified form of casting, provided with both shoe and last engaging or supporting members is utilized for shoes mounted on regular lasts, the modified casting having improved means thereon for actuating the supporting members to bring them into operative engagement with the last and shoe.

With the above and other objects and features in view, including improved means for forcing fluid under pressure into the pad to inflate the pad and cause it to apply pressure to the shoe bottom, together with further novel combinations and arrangements of parts, the invention will now be described in detail in connection with the accompanying drawings and will thereafter be pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the machine embodying the present invention with a shoe mounted therein, parts of the machine being broken away or shown in section;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view partly in section of a portion of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged front elevational View of the machine with the shoe removed and portions shown in section;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevation of the inflatable pad applying pressure to a shoe which is supported against such pressure by a modified form of supporting mechanism adapted for use when the shoe is mounted on a regular or full size last;

Fig. 5 is a detail view of mechanism shown 3 in Fig. 4 for actuating the shoe supporting member, as viewed from the right in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view through the pad and shoe taken on the line VI-VI of Fig. 4; and

Fig. '7 is a longitudinal sectional view through the pad when the latter is inflated as shown in Fig. 4.

The illustrated press comprises a substantially rectangular base or frame l adapted to be secured to a bench by lugs H and having at its upper side a solid horizontal portion l2 which forms a rigid bed for supporting an inflatable pad l4. As shown in Figs. 6 and '7, the pad consists of an inflatable bag of rubber or similar resilient material having a chamber I6 therein which may be inflated by fluid under pressure to apply pressure to the bottom of the shoe. The construction of the pad is such that, when deflated, its upper and lower walls engage each other to form a resilient cushion of substantial thickness upon which the shoe is mounted. When fiuid such, for example, as water is introduced into the pad under pressure, the pad will expand, as shown in Figs. 4, 6 and '7, to apply sole attaching pressure to the shoe bottom and cause the portions of the pad located outside the periphery of the shoe bottom to expand a substantial amount and apply a wiping or wrapping pressure to the shoe bottom, thereby insuring a close attachment of the sole to the entire shoe bottom, including the marginal portions thereof. The pad may be of integral construction molded to the required shape or, as illustrated in Fig. 6, it may comprise upper and lower walls the margins of which are fused together, for example, by vulcanization and are then reinforced by stitches ll to prevent the pad from blowing out when inflated.

In order to permit the press to operate upon shoes which range in size from the largest to the smallest shoes, the pad M, as shown in Fig. 6, is of sufiicient width to accommodate the widest shoe. Moreover, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the pad is long enough to accommodate the largest or longest shoe which will be operated upon. The pad is located on the rigid bed i2 and retained thereon by a cylindrical projection l8 (Fig. 1) which extends downwardly from the bottom wall of the pad and fits tightly into a cylindrical opening in the frame In so that the connection is substantially watertight. A vertical hole in the projection is communicates with a horizontal opening 29 provided in the frame in below the bed 12 and this horizontal opening connects with an enlarged opening 22 formed at the inner end of a chamber 2d provided in a cylinder 26 formed on the frame, the chamber 24 normally being filled with fluid such as water.

Arranged for horizontal reciprocating move ment in the cylinder 26 is a piston 23 provided at its forward end with a rubber collar 30 of usual construction to prevent leakage of the, water past the piston. The piston 28 has an internal bore 32 formed therein in which is mounted for rotation by a hand wheel 34 having a handle 36 a screw 38 provided with relatively large threads all of substantial pitch which fit the bore 32. The outer or forward portion of the screw 38 is reduced in size and passes through a ball bearing 42 seated in a. recess in the frame it and forming a thrust bearing for the screw 38 and piston 28. The outer end of the piston is provided with a hardened bushing i l having a flange 45 thereon and being tapped or threaded internally to receive the threads M of the screw 38, the bushing M being permanently secured in the piston in any usual or convenient manner. Upon rotation of the hand wheel 34 by the handle 36 the piston 28 will be reciprocated back and forth in the cylinder 26 by reason of the bushing 44 moving along the threads of the screw 38. Movement of the piston in the cylinder toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 1, will force the water in the cylinder under pressure through the horizontal opening 28 and the vertical opening in the projection l8 into the chamber it of the pad to inflate the pad and apply pressure to the bottom of the shoe mounted thereon. The rearward end of the cylinder 28 may be closed in any usual mannor by a cap or plate secured thereto by screws or, as illustrated in Fig. 1, it may be sealed by a well-known heating unit 46 which is manufactured commercially and contains a thermostat and heating unit (not shown) in case it should be desired to heat the water to expedite the operation of the apparatus. A pressure gage 48 is provided above the opening .22 so that the pressure applied to the shoe may be readily ascertained.

The shoe is supported against pressure applied by the pad by means of a movable casting 50 fulcrumed on a horizontal shaft 52 extending transversely across the frame, the casting being of yoked formation, as shown in Fig. 3, with an upper crosspiece or strap 59. and a lower cross portion 56. The upper cross portion SA has a boss 58 at its central portion in which is threaded for heightwise adjustment a bushing 60. Secured in the bushing so by a screw 62 and washer 63 the shank 6d of a shoe supporting member or plate 65 having a lower surface 6'! thereon which is inclined downwardly from front to rear, as shown in Fig. l, and is provided with a tail 68 which extends between ears ID formed on the lower end of a curved arm projecting rearwardly and downwardly from the boss 58, this construction preventing the plate 68 from turning in the bushing 60.

The present shoe press is adapted to operate upon shoes which are mounted on half-size forms or lasts which fit into the forepart on y of the shoe, as illustrated in '1, and also upon shoes mounted on regular or full size lasts, as shown in Fig. 4. The shoe A, illustrated in Fig. 1, to which a forepart or half sole B is being attached, is mounted on a last form .2 provided on its upper side with a right angle cut-out ?4 into which a post is inserted before the shoe is mounted in the press, the lower end of the post fitting snugly into the cut-out 14 and its upper end having a rearwardly and downwardly inclined surface complemental to the inclined surface 61 of the plate 66. Consequently, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, when the shoe A is mounted on the pad [4, the upper surface of the post '16 will be located under the lower surface of the plate 68 and thereby be in position to be engaged by the surface 67 of the plate to provide in effect a continuous member for supporting the shoe against the pressure applied by inflation of the pad. When a shoe of a different size is operated upon, the bushing 50 may be adjusted heightwise in the boss 58 to position the plate 66 for the size of shoe being operated upon.

The last or form '12 has a rod 18 extending rearwardly and upwardly therefrom and loosely mounted on the upper end of this rod is a finger 80 for engaging the heel end of the shoe, the finger being retained on the rod by a pin 82. The finger 80 is normally urged upwardly against the pin 82 by a spring 84 surrounding the rod and extending between the form and finger. When the shoe is being mounted on the form E2, the finger 85) is first moved toward the form and then released so that it will engage the inner side of the heel end of the shoe upper and will thus support the heel portion of the shoe in a proper position during the sole attaching operation. This type of the shoe form and support provides a convenient means for supporting a shoe which is to have a half sole attached by cement, particularly in repair work, and a means which may be quickly and easily introduced into the shoe and yet will support the shoe as well during the pressure applying operation as a full size or regular last. As stated above, the present press is also adapted to operate upon shoes mounted on regular lasts, as will be hereinafter explained.

In mounting the shoe A and half sole B in the press, the half sole will usually be laid or spotted on the forepart of the shoe bottom in the customary manner and the assembly will then be placed on the pad i l. The casting 50 will be swung forwardly about its fulcrum 52 and the shoe moved inwardly until the plate 66 overlies or engages the upper end of the post 76. casting ilil will then be forced downwardly toward the shoe to clamp the latter firmly against the pad by a bail ii, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the opposite side arms of which are pivoted on a shaft 88 extending transversely across the forward end of the frame ill, the shaft 88, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 4 and 7, being located a short distance forwardly of the break or ball line of the shoe being operated upon regardless of the size of the shoe, as will be explained more fully hereinafter. The bail 85 is provided at its upper end with a handle 9 whereby it may be swung forwardly about the pivot 88 relatively to the casting Ell. Below the handle 91! the bail is provided with a crossbar 92, the lower surface of which. is arranged to ride over cam surfaces 94 formed on the upper ends of the opposite sides of the casting fill, these cam surfaces being eccentric relatively to the pivot 88 so that, as the ball is swung forwardly over the cam surfaces, the casting 50 is forced downwardly with gradually increasing pressure, thereby forcing the shoe into the pad and clamping it firmly in such position. The clamping pressure applied by the casting 5B is sufficient to compress the upper and lower walls of the rubber pad 14 a small amount before the pad is inflated to apply the sole attaching pressure. The bail is limited in its forward swinging movement by a pair of pins 96 extending laterally from the opposite sides of the casting 50 in position to be engaged by the bail to limit its forward movement.

Before the casting 50 is moved forwardly into operative or clamping relation with the shoe, the rear portion of the pad is conformed to the shape of the shank portion of the shoe to insure that the shank portion will receive sufficient pressure to attach the sole permanently to the shoe bottom adjacent to, and rearwardly of, the ball line of the shoe, this conformation of the pad to the shank portion of the shoe serving also to locate the shoe in a predetermined position longitudinally of the pad regardless of the size of the shoe. The rigid bed I2 is cut away at its central portion adjacent to the shaft 88, as shown in The Fig. 3, and pivoted on the exposed portion of the shaft is a plate 98 which forms a continuation of the bed i2 but is adjustable relatively thereto about the center 88. Accordingly, the rear portion Hit of the pad which rests on the plate 98 may be swung upwardly or downwardly about the center 88 to conform said rear portion to the shape of the shank portion of the shoe A, as shown in Fig. 1, or to the shank portion of any shoe regardless of its size or shape. The shoe is preferably placed in a rearward position on the pad when being mounted thereon and is then moved forwardly or outwardly until its shank portion engages the rear portion Mil of the pad, thereby locating the shoe longitudinally of the pad.

The plate 98 is adjusted about its pivot 88 by the following mechanism: The plate has a downwardly projecting arm Hi2 formed thereon which is substantiall U-shaped in cross-section but has a solid lower portion which is bored to receive a pawl m l normally urged downwardly by a spring Hill and having a shank ")8 which extends up wardly in the arm and is connected by a pin to the lower end of a curved link Mil, the upper end of the link being pivotally connected to a substantially horizontal lever H2 (Fig. 3) pivoted on a pin I it mounted in the plate 98. The lever I I2 has a flat handle H3 which can be conveniently depressed by the operator to elevate the link and move the pawl ifi l upwardly in the arm E82. The pawl has a tooth thereon arranged to engage ratchet teeth Ht (Fig. 1) formed on the upper side of a curved bar or segment M8, the arc of which is concentric with the center of the shaft 88, the segment being secured by screws R20 to lugs provided on the frame Hi.

When the plate 93 is swung by the operator in an upward or counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, the pawl Hi l rides over the ratchet teeth i 56, thereby permitting the operator to adjust the pad quickly to the shank portion of the shoe, the pawl engaging the teeth, however, to prevent downward movement of the plate and thus locking the plate and pad in adjusted position. When it is desired to change the position of the plate 93 for another shoe, depression of the lever H2 b the operator withdraws the pawl Hi l from the ratchet teeth 1 I5 and permits the plate 93 to be swung downwardly about the pivot =88 until the rear portion Hill of the pad. has moved away from the shank portion of the shoe, release of the lever H2 by the operator permitting the spring I 56 to force the pawl into engagement again with the ratchet teeth H5 and thus hold the plate in its lowered position. Accordingly, the rear portion I60 of the pad may be manually adjusted at will to conform said portion to the shape of the shank portion of the shoe being operated upon. As stated above, the center 83 about which the plate 98 swings is located somewhat forwardly of, or nearer to, the toe end of the shoe with respect to the position which the ball line of the shoe normally occupies on the pad, this forward position of the center 88 relatively to the ball line of the shoe insuring a better adjustment and conformation of the rear portion of the pad to the shank portion of the shoe for different sizes of shoes. The approximate posi' tion of the ball line of the shoe is indicated diagrammatically in the drawings b the broken vertical line X and the position of the center 38 forwardly thereof with reference to the toe end of the shoe is indicated b the broken line Y.

It should be pointed out that when the shoe is being mounted on the pad and the rear portion of the pad is being conformed to the shape of the shank portion of the shoe, the casting 50 is located in an upper or retracted position so that the inclined plate 63 is located a suflicient distance rearwardly of, and above, the post in the shoe to permit the introduction of the shoe on the pad. The casting 50 is normally held in this raised position by a compression spring I22 seated in a lug I24 formed on the frame and extending upwardl into a lug I26 provided on the left-hand side of the casting 50, the spring I22 being strong enough to lift the casting 50 and mechanism carried thereby away from the pad about the pivot 52.

In accordance with the present invention, the shoe press is adapted to apply pressure to the bottom of the shoe by inflation Of that portion only of the pad I4 which engages the shoe bottom or is adjacent to the periphery thereof, this result being accomplished, as herein illustrated, by closing off a portion of the pad which is remote from the shoe bottom to prevent inflation of such portion and thereby limit the inflation of the pad to that portion which is actuall in use, that is, the portion which engages the shoe bottom and a predetermined or limited portion surrounding the shoe bottom. The portion of the pad which is inflated to apply sole attaching pressure to different shoes will vary in accordance with the size of the shoe operated upon but each shoe regardless of its size will have a predetermined portion of the pad inflated when pressure is applied thereto, thereby insuring that the sole, particularly its margina1 portion, will be securely bonded to the shoe bottom. As shown in Fig. 6, the pad is wide enough to accommodate the widest shoe so that inflation of the pad widthwise will vary only as the shoe varies in width. Lengthwise, however, as shown in Fig. 1, the Dad extends the full length of the bed I 2 in order that the pad will be long enough to accommodate the largest shoe to be operated upon. Accordingly, some portion of the pad will be shut off or closed lengthwise for all shoes operated upon to permit only a restricted portion of the pad forwardl of the shoe to be inflated to apply pressure to the shoe bottom. It is desirable that the portion of the pad inflated forwardly of the shoe should be of predetermined width or area in order to insure the proper attachment of the toe end of the sole to the shoe bottom. On the other hand, the portion inflated forwardly of the shoe should be limited to this predetermined width or area irrespective of the size of the shoe in order to prevent excessive bulging of the pad if too great a portion forwardly of the shoe were inflated, the limiting of the inflated portion in this manner preventing the possible bursting of such portion and also conserving the inflating medium or fluid required to inflate the pad, this fluid in the present apparatus being provided only in the amount necessary to fill the chamber of the cylinder 26 when the pad is deflated. Limitation of the portion of the pad to be inflated also permits the press to be operated more quickly and efficiently since it will be necessary only to force fluid under pressure into, and exhaust it from, the operating portion of the pad rather than the entire pad.

The limiting of the portion of the pad in flated to an area determined by the size of the shoe operated upon is accomplished by the following arrangement: The lower cross portion 56 of the casting 50 is provided at its opposite sides with horizontal guideways I28 (Figs. 2 and 3) in which is mounted for forward and rearward movement a slide I30 which extends across the width of the pad and has rigidly secured to its lower side, adjacent to its forward end, by screws I32, a downwardly projecting pinch plate I34 rounded along its bottom edge and extending transversely across the full width of the pad, as shown in Fig. 3, the pinch plate having a pair of substantially vertical slots I36 (Figs. 2 and 7) cut in its central portion with a block I38 projecting rearwardly between the slots.

Pivotally mounted on a pin I40 extending transversely through the block I38 is a toe gage comprising a pair of L-shaped arms I42 straddling the block I38 and extending forwardly through the openings I36 in the plate I34, the arms being provided at their forward ends with a substantially vertical plate I44 sufficient in size to engage the toe ends of a sole and shoe introduced onto the pad and the lower edge of the plate I44 resting by gravity on the pad, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The slide I30, pinch plate I 34 and toe gage I44 are normally urged forwardly toward the front of the press by a relatively light spring I46 surrounding a hollow rod I48 secured in an opening in the pinch plate I34 at one side of the toe gage, the rearward end of the rod passing loosely through a hole in a strap I50 fastened by screws to the cross portion 56 so that the spring I46 is confined between the plate I34 and strap I50. The rod I48 is limited in its forward movement by a cotter pin I52 in its inner end arranged to engage the strap I50, thereby determining the forward or outer position of the toe gage relatively to the pad.

When the shoe A, with its sole B spotted or held manually thereon, is mounted on the pad by the operator, the toe ends of the sole and shoe engage the toe gage I 44 and force it rearwardly against the tension of the spring I46, thereby also moving the slide I30 and pinch plate I34 rearwardly. While holding the sole and shoe on the pad, the operator swings the supporting plate 98 upwardly and inwardly while simultaneously moving the shoe outwardly again a short distance until the rear portion of the pad engages and conforms to the shank portion of the shoe, thereby positioning the shoe longitudinally of the pad, the toe gage, of course, movin outwardly again with the shoe as the latter is moved forwardly to bring its shank portion aginst the rear portion of the pad. In this way the pinch plate I34 is always positioned a predetermined distance forwardly or in front of the shoe irrespective of its size.

The pinch plate I34 is forced downwardly against the pad to pinch or compress the two layers thereof together against the rigid bed I2 by movement of the casting 50 into clamping relation with the shoe, this being accomplished, as previously explained, by moving the bail 86 forwardly over the cam surfaces 94 until the bail can be moved no farther or is stopped by engagement with the pins 96 as shown in Fig. 1. Consequently, the portion of the pad which lies rearwardly or inwardly of the pinch plate I34 is closed or shut oif across the full width of the pad from the inflating medium in the cylinder 23 and this rearward portion cannot, therefore, become inflated whereas the portions of the pad which engage the shoe bottom, or are located outside but adjacent to the periphery of the shoe, that is, the opposite marginal portions of the pad outwardly of the pinch plate and the portion of the pad extending between the toe end of the shoe and the pinch plate itself, are inflated by the fluid under pressure forced into the pad through reciprocation of the piston 28 in the cylinder 26, as described above, to apply sole attaching pressure to the shoe bottom. In this way, only that portion of the pad which is actually in use or is necessary for operating on the shoe bottom is inflated, thereby eliminating the danger of excessive bulging or bursting oi the pad and also conserving in the use of the inflating medium and speeding up the operation of the press. Figs. 4, 6 and 7 show how the pad is inflated to apply sole attaching pressure to the bottom of a shoe C to which a half sole D is to be attached, the shoe in these figures being mounted on a full size or regular last L upon which the press is also adapted to operate, as will be presently explained. It will be seen from these figures that the pad is inflated underneath the shoe and also along the opposite marginal portions thereof adjacent to the shoe bottom, including the rear portion of the pad engaging the shank portion of the shoe. The pad is infiated sufficiently to bulge upwardly in front of the toe end of the shoe and thus insure a proper attachment of the forward portion of the sole to the shoe bottom. Rearwardly of the pinch plate ISt. however, the pad remains in an uninflated or collapsed condition, as shown in Figs. 4 r

and '7, because the pinch plate extends across the full width of the pad and thus effectively seals off this rear portion from the inflating medium. It will be noted that the pivoted toe gage I44 is free to ride up on the bulged portion of the pad in front of the shoe.

As indicated above, the present machine is adapted to operate upon shoes mounted on half size shoe forms or last members, as illustrated in Fig. l, and also upon. shoes mounted on regular or full sized lasts, as shown in Fig. 4. To adapt the press for operating upon shoes mounted on regular lasts a modified form of casting 59 is used, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the casting 53' providing both a shoe supporting member and a member for engaging and supporting the heel portion of the last in the shoe. As herein illus trated, the modified casting 5B is provided at its upper end with a transverse shaft I5 upon which is fulcrumed for swinging movement toward and away from the pad a yoked arm 55. The casting 5% projects forwardly of the shaft i524 and has a boss I53 formed thereon substantially central-1 of the casting. Mounted in this boss for heightwise reciprocating movement toward and v away from the shoe is a last supporting member its provided at its lower end with a self-adjusting last engaging member I82 pivoted on a pin 96%.

The last supporting member I'fifi is slotted lengthwise at it?) and has a cap 566 secured to its upper end by a screw 258, the cap carrying a rod I'Ill which projects downwardly into the slot 65. Surrounding the rod HIE is a spring M2, the lower end of which engages a small plate I'M secured to the boss I58 by a screw I16, the plate projecting into the slot H35 in the member itiil. The spring H2 tends normally to urge the last supporting member l lil upwardly away from the shoe, the member 1E2 being moved into engagement with the heel err-.d of the last in the shoe by the operator pressing downwardly on the cap Hill. The forward side of the member Hit is provided with a. relatively wide tongue FIE which rides in a slot in the boss i558 and prevents the member Ifit from turning, the forward edge of the tongue being provided with ratchet teeth I86. The

ratchet teeth are engaged by a pawl I82 pivoted on a pin I84 in the boss I 58 and urged in a clockwise direction into engagement with the teeth by a spring I36 extending between the boss I58 and a tail I88 on the awl. In moving the last supporting member into engagement with the heel end of the last, the operator presses on the cap P55 to slide the member ltddownwardly while the pawl Hi2 rides over the teeth i853. To release the member I68, the operator merely presses the tail 638 of the pawl to release the latter from the ratchet teeth and permit the spring I712 to return the member liiil to its upper position.

The yoked member I56 comprises two upper arms I98 between the lower portions of which is a central housing I 92 having a hole lfid extending heightwise thereof in which is mounted for slid ing or reciprocating movement toward and away from the pad, a member I96 arranged to engage the shoe and support it against the pressure applied by the pad. The yoked arm iii?) is normally held in an upper or retracted position away from the shoe against a stop pin I98 in the casting :38 by a heavy torsion spring are surrounding an intermediate portion of the shaft I5 and having one end engaging the lower end of the boss I58 and its opposite end engaging a pin Elli! mounted in the forward arm I92! of the yoked member I56. Below the shaft lfi l the arm 555 has a lug 2M projecting downwardly therefrom and forming the forward bearing for a shaft 266 which extends at right angles to the shaft 95d and has an inner bearing in the housing M2. At its forward end the shaft 2% carries a handle 288 which provides means whereby the shaft can be turned in opposite directions by the operator and also whereby the casting all may be swung forwardly about its pivot 52 (Fig. l) to move it into operative position relatively to the shoe. In ad-- dition to providing means for swinging the casting 5!! into operative position and permitting the operator to rotate the shaft 2% in opposite directions to actuate further mechanisms presently to be described, the handle 288 and shaft 2&5 also provide means whereby the operator may swing the yoked arm E56 downwardly about the shaft I54 against the tension of the spring 2% to move the arm toward the shoe.

The shoe supporting member I96 has a longitudinal bore therein which is counter-bored at opposite ends, as shown in Fig. i. Mounted in this bore is a long screw 2 It which is threaded at its lower end into a shoe engaging member 2E2 of conventional construction for engaging the upper side of the forepart of the shoe and supporting the shoe against pressure applied by the pad, the member 2 I 2 being preferably covered with leather or similar material to prevent scarring the shoe. At its upper end the reciprocating member I95 carries a pin 2 M which rides in a slot Ii it formed in the forward side of the housing I92, the pin projecting some distance outwardly beyond the slot, as shown in Fig. 4. Surrounding the shaft 285 forwardly of the housing I932 is a torsion spring 2H3, one end of which bears against the rear arm Ifit of the yoked arm i515 and is held in. position by a pin 225.3. The opposite end of the spring EIB, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, bears against the pin 21' i in the shoe supporting member I96 and tends normally to move this member upwardly in the housing IQZ into a position away from the shoe, this position being determined by engagement of the pin 2M with the upper end of the slot tit. Between the spring M3 and the housing I92, the

shaft 296 carries an arm 222 which extends forwardly, as viewed in Fig. 4, and engages the upper side of the pin 2 I4. Consequently, movement by the operator of the handle 299 in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 5, moves the re ciprocating shoe supporting member I 96 downwardly in the housing I92 to bring the member 2I2 into engagement with the forepart of the shoe, as shown in Fig. 4. The shoe supporting member I96 is prevented from turning in the housing I92 by the pin H4 in the slot 2I9.

On its inner or rearward side the member I96 is provided for a portion of its length with ratchet teeth 224. The housing I92 is provided at its lefthand side, as viewed in Fig. 4, with a pair of rearwardly extending walls 225 between which are mounted for pivotal movement respectively on pins 228 and 239, a pair of pawls 232 and 234. A spring 239 extends between the pawls 232, 234

and tends normally to rotate them in counterclockwise directions, as viewed in Fig. 4. The pawl 232 has a lower tooth which extends through a slot 238 in the housing I 92 and engages the ratchet teeth 224 on the shoe supporting member I95. Consequently, the member I93 can slide downwardly in the housing I92 with the pawl 232 riding over the ratchet teeth 224 but it cannot move upwardly until the pawl 232 is released. The shoe supporting member ISB, therefore, may be moved downwardly through rotation of the shaft 295 by the handle 298 in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 5, to bring the member 2I2 into engagement with the forepart of the shoe C on the last L, the supporting member I98 then becoming locked in operative position so that it will thereafter support the shoe against pressure applied by inflation of the pad I4.

The casting 59' is provided with a solid cross portion 249 (Fig. 4) which bridges the opposite side walls of the casting a short distance below the housing I92. Secured by screws to this cross portion 249 is a steel plate 242 having an armate upper surface concentric with the axis of the shaft I54. with ratchet teeth 244 arranged to be engaged by a single tooth on the pawl 234, the pawl riding over the teeth when moved downwardly by swinging movement of the arm I56 toward the shoe but engaging the teeth and locking the arm I56 against upward movement. Accordingly, the pawl 234 forms means for locking the arm I59 in operative position with the shoe supporting member I96 engaging the forepart of the shoe, as shown in Fig. 4, the member I95 bein locked in operative position by the pawl 232 so that the entire assembly is in condition to support the shoe against pressure applied by inflation of the pad.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the handle 298 and shaft 295 form single means for moving the casting 59 into operative relation with the shoe C on the pad, for swinging the yoked arm I59 toward the shoe and for simultaneously moving the shoe supporting member I96 downwardly in the housing I92 to bring the shoe engaging member 2I2 into operative engagement with the shoe, the arm I59 and member I96 becoming automatically locked in operative positions so that the latter will support the shoe against the pressure applied by the pad.

In order to unlock the shoe supporting member I96 and arm I56 to remove the shoe after the sole has been attached, the pawls 232 and 234 are released, this being done, however, after the This arcuate surface is provided pad has been deflated through removal of the fluid therefrom by rotation of the screw 49 by the hand wheel 34, as described above, in a reverse direction to its inflating movement to reciprocate the piston 28 outwardly in the cylinder 26 and thus permit the water to return into the cylinder. The shaft 295 has a collar 246 (Fig. 4) secured to its inner end adjacent to the housing I92 and this collar is provided with a rearwardly extending portion 248 which is cut away in the manner illustrated in Fig. 4 to provide two laterally projecting lugs 259 and 252 each having a forwardly and downwardly inclined surface thereon which forms in effect a cam surface on the lug. The pawl 232 has an upwardly extending tail carrying a roll 254 which projects inwardly in position to be engaged by the cam surface on the lug 259 and the pawl 234 has a similar tail carrying an inwardly extending roll 255 in position to be engaged by the cam surface on the lug 252. When it is desired to release the pawls 232, 234, the operator rotates the shaft 296 by the handle 298 in a clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 5, to swing the lugs 259, 252 upwardly into engagement with the rolls on the pawls to cause the cam surfaces on the lugs to rotate the pawls in a clockwise direction about their pivots and thus to withdraw the pawls from locking engagement respectively with the ratchet teeth on the shoe supporting member I99 and steel plate 242. The torsion spring 2I8 then returns the supporting member I99 to its upper position in the housing I92 and the spring 299 rotates the arm I56 into its elevated position on the shaft I54 when permitted to do so by release of the handle 298 by the operator. When the operator releases the pawls in the manner just described, he also preferably depresses the tail I88 of the pawl I82 with his thumb and thereby releases the last supporting member I99 which permits the spring I'l2 to elevate this member to its upper position on the casting 59, thereby simultaneously retracting both the shoe supporting member I 99 and the last supporting member I99 respectively from the shoe and last and leaving the shoe with its sole attached free to be removed from the pad. It should be pointed out that none of these actions is caused to take place until the operator has defiated the pad by exhausting the fluid therefrom and has then swung the bail 89 (Fig. 4) rearwardly and downwardly off the cam surfaces 94 on the casting 59, thereby causing the spring I22 to tend to return the casting 59 to its rearward position away from the shoe which it will do when permitted by the operator upon his release of the handle 299. The parts having all been returned to their inoperative positions, the shoe with its sole attached may be removed from the pad and a fresh sole and shoe mounted thereon, the sole being attached to the shoe bottom by a repetition of the operations described above.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a shoe press, the combination of an infiatable pad for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe, means for inflating the pad with an inflating medium to apply said pressure, and means for permitting the inflating medium to enter only that portion of the pad which engages the shoe bottom and extends a predetermined distance around said shoe bottom.

2. In a shoe press, the combination of an infiatable pad for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe, means for forcing fluid under pressure into the pad to inflate the same and apply pressure to the shoe bottom, and means for preventing the fluid from entering a portion of the pad located a predetermined distance outside the periphery of the shoe bottom, thereby limiting the inflation of the pad to the portion thereof engaging the shoe bottom and a predetermined portion surrounding the shoe bottom.

3. In a shoe press, the combination of an inflatable pad for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe, means for introducing an inflating medium into the pad to inflate the pad and apply said pressure, and means for controlling the portion of the pad into which the inflating medium is introduced in accordance with the size of the shoe operated upon.

4. In a shoe press, the combination of an inflatable pad for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe, means for inflating the pad by introducing an inflating medium to apply said pressure, and means for limiting the portion of the pad into which said inflating medium is introduced to the portion thereof engaging the shoe bottom and a predetermined portion surrounding said shoe bottom irrespective of the size of the shoe.

5. In a shoe press, the combination of an inflatable pad for applying pressure to a portion of a shoe bottom, said pad being longer than the pressure-receiving portion of the largest shoe to be operated upon, means for inflating the pad with fluid under pressure to apply said pressure, and means for preventing fluid under pressure from entering a portion of the pad not in use when shoes smaller than the largest shoe are being operated upon.

6. In a shoe press, the combination of an inflatable pad for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe, means for inflating the pad by filling it with an inflating medium to apply said pressure, and means for preventing the inflating medium from passing into a portion of the pad located beyond a predetermined point outside the periphery of the shoe bottom, thereby preventing the bulging of such portion and conserving the inflating medium.

'7. In a shoe press, the combination of an inflatable pad for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe, means for inflating the pad to apply said pressure, and means movable relatively to the pad and controlled by engagement with the shoe for limiting such inflation to the portion of the pad engaging the shoe bottom and extending a predetermined distance outside the periphery of the shoe bottom.

8. In a shoe press, the combination of an inflatable pad for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe, said pad being longer than the pressure-receiving portion of the largest shoe to be operated upon, means for inflating the pad to apply said pressure, and means positioned by engagement with the shoe for confining the inflation of the pad to a portion thereof extending toward the heel end of the shoe from a predetermined point forwardly of its toe end irrespective of the size of said shoe.

9. In a shoe press. the combination of an inflatable pad longer than the pressure-receiving portion of the largest shoe for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe, means for forcing fluid under pressure into said pad to inflate the same and apply said pressure, and means for preventing the fluid from entering a portion of the pad located beyond a predetermined point forwardly of the toe end of the shoe, thereby preventing inflation of such portion.

10. In a shoe press, the combination of an inflatable pad for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe, means for inflating the pad to apply said pressure, and means for pinching the pad to close the same and limit said inflation to the portion of the pad engaging the shoe bottom and a predetermined portion surrounding said shoe bottom.

11. In a shoe press, the combination of a resilient pad having an inflatable chamber for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe, means for filling said chamber with an inflating medium to inflate the pad and apply said pressure, and adjustable means for closing a part of said chamber to prevent the entrance of said inflating medium and thereby control the portion of the pad inflated.

12. In a shoe press, the combination of an inflatable pad having a chambe therein for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe, means for forcing fluid under pressure into said chamber to inflate the pad and apply said pressure, and adjustable means positioned by the shoe for pinching the pad to shut off a part of said chamber from said fluid to prevent said part from becoming inflated, thereby limiting the portion of the pad inflated in accordance with the size of the shoe operated upon.

13. In a shoe press, the combination of a resilient pad having an inflatable chamber therein for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe, a rigid bed for supporting said pad, means for inflating said chamber to apply pressure to the shoe bottom, and means for pinching the pad against said bed to close a part of said chamber and prevent its inflation, thereby limiting the inflation of the pad.

14. In a shoe press, the combination of an inflatable pad for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe, a rigid bed for holding said pad, a member for supportin the shoe against the pressure applied b the pad, means for inflating the pad to apply said pressure, and means positioned by the shoe for pinching the pad against said bed to close off a portion of the pad and prevent said portion from being inflated, said pinching means being positioned by the shoe a predetermined dis tance forwardly of its toe end irrespective of the size of the shoe.

15. In a shoe press, the combination of an inflatable pad for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe, a rigid bed for holding said pad, 2. casting movable into and out of operative position relatively to the shoe, a member on said casting for pressing the shoe against the pad and thereafter supporting the shoe against the pressure applied thereto, manually operated means for forcing fluid under pressure into the pad to inflate the same and apply pressure to the shoe bottom, a transverse plate carried by said casting for pinching the pad against said bed and thereby shutting off a portion of the pad from said fluid to prevent inflation of said portion. and a gage associated with said plate for engaging the shoe and positioning the plate a predetermined distance away from the shoe irrespective of its size, thereby controlling the portion of the pad inflated in accordance with the size of the shoe operated upon.

16. In a shoe press, the combination of an inflatable pad, a rigid bed for supporting the forward portion of said pad, a member connected to said bed for supporting the rear portion of the pad, means for adjusting said member relatively to the bed to conform the rear portion of the pad to the shank portion of a shoe placed thereon, thereby positioning the shoe on the pad, means for inflating the pad to apply pressure to the shoe bottom, and means controlled by the position of the shoe on the pad for pinching the pad against said bed to prevent the inflation of a portion of the pad, thereb limiting the inflation of the pad to a portion deter lined by the position of the shoe on said pad.

1'7. In a shoe press, the combination of an inflatable pad for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe mounted thereon, a rigid bed for supporting the forward portion of the pad, a plate pivoted to said bed forwardly of the ball line or" the shoe for supporting the rear portion of the pad, means for adjusting said plate relatively to the bed to conform the rear portion of the D to the shank portion of the shoe, thereby positioning the shoe longitudinally of the pad, means for inflating the pad to apply pressure to the shoe bottom, a member movable into and out of operative position relatively to the shoe for clamping it against the pad and thereafter supporting the shoe against said pressure, and means slidable on said movable member and positioned by engagement with the shoe for pinching the forward portion of the pad against said bed and thereby preventing inflation of the pad forwardly of the pinching means, said pinching means being positioned by the shoe a predetermined distance in front of its toe end irrespective of the size of said shoe.

18. In shoe press, the combination of an inflatable pad, a rigid bed for supporting the forepart of the pad, a plate pivoted to said bed for supporting the shank portion of the pad, manually operated means for adjusting said plate about its pivot relatively to the bed to conform the rear portion of the pad to the shank portion of the shoe, thereby locating the shoe longitudinally of the pad, means for introducing fluid under pressure into said pad to inflate the same and apply pressure to the shoe bottom, a member arranged to clamp the shoe against the pad and support it against said pressure, and means slidable on the clamping member in the plane of the pad for pinching the pad against said bed and shutting on the fluid from a predetermined portion of the pad forwardly of the shoe to prevent the inflation of such portion, said means being positioned by the shoe while the latter is bein located longitudinally of the pad.

19. In a shoe press, the combination of an inflatable pad for applying pressure to a shoe bottom, means normal to the pad and movable with the shoe for closing a portion of the pad and thereby limiting the portion of the pad inflated in accordance with the size of the shoe operated upon, and manually operated means for inflating said pad.

20. In shoe press, the combination of a pad arranged to be inflated by fluid under pressure to apply pressure to the bottom of a shoe mounted thereon, means for controlling the portion of the pad into which fluid can be introduced in accordance with the size of the shoe operated upon, and manually operated means for forcing fluid under p s re into the portion of the pad determined by the controlling means to inflate said portion.

21. In a shoe press, the combination of a resilient pad arranged to be inflated to apply pressure to the bottom of a shoe, means for pinching the pad to shut ofl a portion thereof and prevent 16 the inflation of such portion, thereby limiting the portion of the pad which is inflated, means including a cylinder and piston for forcing fluid under pressure into the open portion of the pad, and manually operated means for reciprocating the piston in said cylinder.

22. In a shoe press, the combination of an inflatable pad for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe, a rigid bed for supporting said pad, :1 member movable relatively to the pad for pressing the shoe thereon and thereafter supporting the shoe against pressure applied by the pad, a bail cooperating with said member, means yieldable on said member and positioned by the shoe for pinching the pad against said bed and thereby closing a portion of the pad to prevent its inflation, said means being positoned a predetermined distance away from the shoe regardless of its size, and manually operated means for forcing fluid under pressure into the open portion of the pad to inflate said portion and apply pressure to the shoe bottom.

23. In a shoe press, the combination of a resilient pad arranged to be inflated by fluid under pressure to apply pressure to the bottom of a shoe mounted thereon, a rigid bed for holding said pad, a member for supporting the shoe against said pressure, means for limiting the portion of the pad into which fluid can be introduced to the portion engaging the shoe bottom and a predetermined portion surrounding said shoe bottom irrespective of the size of the shoe, a cylinder on said bed containing fluid and communicating with said pad, a piston reoiprocable in said cylinder and having an internally threaded bore therein, and manually operated means for causing reciprocation of the piston back and forth in said cylinder, said means including a screw threaded into said bore and means for rotating said screw.

24. In a shoe press, the combination of a pad for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe, a casting movable into and out of operative position relatively to the shoe, an arm pivoted on said casting and arranged to swing toward and away from the shoe, a member movable on said arm for supporting the shoe against pressure applied by the pad, and means for swinging said arm toward the shoe and moving the supporting member relatively to said arm to bring it into engagement with the shoe.

25. In a shoe press, the combination of a pad for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe, 2. bed for supporting said pad, a casting fulcrumed on said bed for movement into and out of an operative position relatively to the shoe, an arm pivoted on said casting for swinging movement toward and away from the shoe, a member slidable on said arm for engaging the shoe and supporting it against pressure applied by the pad, resilient means tending normally to hold said arm and slidable member in inoperative positions away from the shoe, and manually operated means for swinging said arm toward the shoe and simultaneously moving the slidable member into engagement with the shoe.

26. In a shoe press, the combination of a pad for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe mounted thereon, a casting movable into and out of an operative position relatively to the shoe, an arm on said casting swingable toward and away from the shoe, a reciprocable member on said arm for supporting the shoe against pressure applied by the pad, and single means for moving the casting into said operative position,

1'? swinging said arm toward the shoe and moving said reciprocable member into engagement with the shoe.

2'7. In a shoe press, the combination of a pad for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe, a rigid bed for supporting said pad, a casting mounted on said bed and movable into and out of an operative position relatively to the shoe, an arm on said casting arranged for swinging movement toward and away from the shoe, a member reciprocable on said arm for engaging the shoe and supporting it against pressure applied by the pad, and manually operated means for moving said casting into operative position, swinging said arm toward the shoe and efiecting reciprocating movement of the shoe engaging member on said arm to bring it into operative engagement with the shoe.

28. In a shoe press, the combination of a pad for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe, a casting movable into and out of an operative position relatively to the shoe, an arm on said casting arranged for swinging movement toward and away from the shoe, a shoe engaging member reciprocable on said arm for engaging the i shoe and supporting it against pressure applied by the pad, single means for moving said casting into operative position relatively to the shoe, swinging said arm toward the shoe and reciprocating the shoe engaging member into engage ment with the shoe, and means for locking said arm and shoe engaging member in the positions they occupy after said member has engaged the shoe.

29. In a shoe press, the combination of a pad for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe, a bed for supporting said pad, a casting fulcrumed on said bed for movement into and out of position over the shoe, an arm pivoted on said casting for swinging movement toward and away from the shoe, a member reciprocable on said arm for engagin the shoe and supporting it against pressure applied by the pad, manually operated means for moving said casting over the shoe and swinging said arm toward the shoe, said means being also arranged to advance the shoe engaging member to bring it into engagement with the shoe, and means for automatically locking said arm and shoe engaging member in the positions into which they have been moved by said manually operated means.

30. In a shoe press, the combination of a pad for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe, a rigid bed for supporting said pad, a casting fulcrumed on said bed for movement into and out of operative position relatively to the shoe, an arm pivoted on said casting and arranged for swinging movement toward and away from the shoe, a member reciprocable in said arm and arranged to engage the shoe and support it against pressure applied by the pad, resilient means normally holding said arm and reciprocable member in retracted positions away from the shoe, single means for moving said casting, arm and reciprocable member into operative positions relatively to the shoe to bring said reciprocable member into engagement with the shoe, and means for locking said arm and reciprocable member in said operative positions, said locking means being also operated and released by said single means.

31. In a shoe press, the combination of a pad for applying pressure to the bottom of a shoe mounted thereon, a casting movable into and out of an operative position relatively to the shoe, an arm pivoted on said casting for swinging movement toward and away from the shoe, a reciprocable member on the pivoted arm movable into and out of engagement with the shoe for supportit against pressure applied by the pad, resilient means normally urging said pivoted arm and reciprocable member into inoperative positions away from the shoe, a shaft journaled in said arm and provided with a handle for rotating the shaft, said shaft and handle forming means for swinging the pivoted arm toward the shoe, an arm on said shaft for moving the reciprocable member into engagement with the shoe upon rotation of the shaft in one direction, pawls on the pivoted arm arranged automatically to lock said arm and reciprocable member in operative positions after said member has engaged the shoe, and means on said shaft constructed and arranged to release said pawls from looking relation with said pivoted arm and reciprocable member upon rotation of said shaft in an opposite direction to its first rotation.

SIDNEY J. FINN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,902,325 Finn Mar. 21, 1933 1,910,858 Ruhr May 23, 1933 

